Rick Warren's youngest son commits suicide

LAKE FOREST – Pastor Rick Warren on Saturday asked his 30,000-plus Saddleback Church membership for support as his family goes through the trauma of his son, Matthew's apparent suicide. This is not the first time the mega-church pastor has asked for support from his church.

In an email, Warren asked church members for prayers and support after news of the death of his youngest son, Matthew Warren, 27. Warren and his wife, Kay, have three children and five grandchildren. Supervising Deputy Coroner Daniel Aikin said Matthew Warren, of Mission Viejo, died Friday around 10 a.m. from an apparent suicide.

Warren has pastored the Lake Forest church for 33 years, and has weathered many issues.

"Kay and I've been privileged to hold your hands as you faced a crisis or loss, stand with you at gravesides, and prayed for you when ill," Warren wrote. "Today, we need your prayer for us. No words can express the anguished grief we feel right now. Our youngest son, Matthew, age 27, and a lifelong member of Saddleback, died today. You who watched Matthew grow up knew he was an incredibly kind, gentle, and compassionate man. He had a brilliant intellect and a gift for sensing who was most in pain or most uncomfortable in a room. He'd then make a bee-line to that person to engage and encourage them."

Warren then went on to describe his son's lifelong struggle with mental illness.

"Only those closest knew that he struggled from birth with mental illness, dark holes of depression, and even suicidal thoughts," he continued. "In spite of America's best doctors, meds, counselors, and prayers for healing, the torture of mental illness never subsided. Today, after a fun evening together with Kay and me, in a momentary wave of despair at his home, he took his life."

Warren, the author of the multimillion-selling book "The Purpose Driven Life," wrote that Matthew had struggled with previous suicide attempts 10 years ago.

In October 2008, Warren also reached out to the Saddleback congregation for support and prayers after his daughter in-law, Jaime Warren, then 25, was diagnosed with a massive tumor at the base of her skull. Jaime is married to the Warren's son, Joshua. Jaime underwent medical care and is doing well now.

Across Orange County and the nation, religious leaders are reacting to the Warren's tragedy.

Pastor Phil Munsey of Irvine's Life Church preached with Rick Warren. Munsey said he and his wife, Jeannie, were devastated to hear about Matthew Warren.

"Our hearts are broken," Munsey said. "There's no greater pain on any human level than this tragedy. Rick and Kay, Josh, Amy and their families have our deepest sympathies and prayers."

Munsey said Matthew Warren's death has drawn prayers and support from pastors nationwide including Joel and Victoria Osteen and the Champion Network of Pastors, a network of churches across the country where Munsey servers as chairman.

"They send their love and unwavering prayers for the Warren family," Munsey said. "There is not a more respected, admired and loved pastor in the world than Rick Warren. His behind-the-scenes and unreported love and care for others around the world is unprecedented. The religious, economical and even political community is in sober shock and mourning with the Warren family."

Munsey said Life Church, which was dedicated by Rick Warren in 2009, is praying for the Warren family and Saddleback Church and dedicating Sunday's service to them.

"I can say with confidence, the mental illness crisis our country is in will feel positive impact out of this personal negative experience the Warrens are experiencing," he said. "God will make this work for good, and there are no better people than Rick and Kay to be God's instruments to do something that will make Matthew and his struggle with mental illness, help many people."

Kristin Cole, spokeswoman for Saddleback Church, said Pastor Tom Holladay will preach in place of Warren on Sunday. On Saturday night, Holladay kicked off a sermon series called, "Surviving Tough Times."